This blend across a number of different village-level lieux-dits in Beaune has a nice citrusy edge. In 2020 the grapes were picked only in the morning because of the heat. The richness of the year comes through in ripe apple and hazelnut aromas and in the breadth on the palate, but the balancing acidity is actually quite interesting. Lovely wine at this level.
From a parcel in lieu-dit Prevolles that Weber and his team grafted over to Chardonnay, using massale selections from Corton-Charlemagne, the 2020 Beaune Blanc exhibits aromas of citrus oil, pear, hazelnuts and clear honey, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample but precise palate. Concluding with a chalky finish, it's a fine cuvée.
Bouchard has nearly four hectares of this, perhaps the greatest site in the Beaune appellation. On a modest slope with east-southeast exposure in the heart of the terroir, this has produced a sophisticated, elegant wine in 2020, fermenting out to barely 13.5% alcohol with a pH between 3.5-3.6. The fruit is supremely luxurious and lush, yet underscored with plenty of nuance of spice, smoke, earth, and leather. The texture is dense and powerful yet superbly elegant - a triumph.
Still pretty closed, this is a concentrated and seriously structured wine for a Beaune 1er Cru, which has clearly been built for the long-term. However, its the pronounced, stony minerality that makes this exciting. Bold and still quite tight finish. From a 3.92-hectare plot in one of Beaune's top sites. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.
Lush and juicy, this red delivers plum, black cherry, sweet spice and toasty oak flavors on a soft frame. Dense, showing fine balance and length.
The 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jesus offers up pretty aromas of cherries, cassis, sweet loamy soil, truffles and grilled game bird. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and supple, with a succulent core of fleshy fruit and a rich and textural profile. It's a giving, generous wine that should offer a broad drinking window, but don't let its early approachability deceive, as it should be long-lived too.
The 2019 Beaune Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus 1er Cru has by far the best aromatics of Bouchard's somewhat awkward Beaune Premier Crus, delivering bright red berry fruit, crushed stone and final delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, and quite peppery on the entry, but shows more freshness and terroir expression compared to Les Teurons or the Clos de la Mousse. Excellent.
The 2017 Beaune Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus 1er Cru comes from the 3.91-hectare parcel on the mid-slope, currently undergoing piecemeal replanting. It has a wonderful, expressive bouquet of dark cherries, wild strawberry and crushed stone that is easily the best of Bouchard's Beaune Premier Crus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and well-judged acidity, perhaps a little oakier than the Les Teurons but with more depth and precision on the finish. Great potential.
This tight wine is firm with tannins and still very young. With a backdrop of dense black fruits and acidity, its potential is considerable. With this promise and richness, the wine needs aging. Drink from 2024. Maisons and Domaines Henriot. Cellar Selection.
The 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves Vigne de l’Enfant Jesus is showing well, wafting from the glass with aromas of smoky cherry and blackberry fruit that mingle with nuances of incense, spices and baking chocolate. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, velvety and supple, with a nicely concentrated core of sapid fruit, succulent acids and quite a long, harmonious finish. This has come together very nicely since I tasted it from barrel in early December.
